Transformer mount



Aug. 15, 1961 Filed March 2, 1959 E. A. HOFFMAN 2,996,277

TRANSFORMER MOUNT 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 2, 1959 m N 4 w M j W A A, v j M MO M/G WU I QM M ATTORNEY Aug. 15, 1961 E. A. HOFFMAN TRANSFORMER MOUNT 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 2. 1959 INVENTOR Ed word A. Hoffmdn United States Patent 2,996,277 TRANSFORMER MOUNT Edward A. Hoffman, P.0. Box 2755, Boise, Idaho Filed Mar. 2, 1959, Ser. No. 796,703 5 Claims. (Cl. 248-221) This invention relates to supporting devices and in I ously used often comprise complex frames consisting of many costly parts and furthermore they often require gaining and weakening of the pole. Some less complex mounting means have been devised, however, these do not adequately and safely support the heavier transformer installations. In some instances the lower ends of transformers lean into the poles after they are assembled.

A further disadvantage of prior mounting devices is that they are not suitable for all sizes of transformers.- Utility companies must stock different sizes of mountings for the different transformers. Accordingly, one of the objects of this invention is to provide a mounting means for transformers with which these disadvantages are overcome.

Another object of my invention is to provide a trans! former mount with which there is no necessity for cross arms, transformer hanger brackets and suspensionhooks which are required in the conventional mounting methods.

It is also an object of the instant invention to provide a means for eliminating the special platform and bussing construction needed in larger installations and also to. eliminate the need for extra poles. --A further object of my invention is to provide a mount which can fit poles of any size, and also provide a means for mounting any size of transformer from 3 kva. through 100 kva.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide trans-, former mounting means which instead of weakening the pole, actually reinforces the points of' support for the transformer. t

An additional object of my invention is to provide mounting means which will prevent transformers or-other devices supported thereon from being jarred loose, and suffering serious damage. I

'It is also an object of my invention to provide transformer mounting means with which it is possible to make adjustments after shrinkage of the poles.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a very simple transformer mounting means which will aceom-. plish the above objects. According to the instant invention there is provided a transformer mounting means which will make it possible to mount any combination of transformers on a pole aswell as make it possible to mount these transformers without the use of different sets of brackets or other supporting or mounting means. According to the invention a single type of mounting means is adaptable for all transformers and for mounting either one or more than one transformer on a pole. An additional object of the invention is to, provide a transformer mounting means with which it is unnecessary to use special mounting washers.

' One other object of the invention is to provide a trans-.

former mounting bracket means for mounting transform-. ers either singly or in clusters wherein the components same size. This results in minimum inventory and storage space required to accommodate the mountings of various sizes of transformers throughout a utility district;

A further object of the invention is to provide a very economical mounting assembly tailored to support any size of transformer and to make an installation on any" position on a pole. 1 F

An additional object of the invention is to provide a transformer mounting wherein it is not necessary to it bands to various pole diameters. The mounting is made by simply bolting the mounting to the pole.

Yet a further object of the invention isto provide a transformer mounting means whereby it is only necessary to bore a single hole in a pole to mount the smaller size transformers. Z

An additional object of the invention is to provide a. cluster installation of such light weight and so easy to use that only one man is required on the pole and wherein assembly on the ground is even more simplified. With other known mounts because of the weights and other assembly conditions usually two men are required on the pole when positioning and bolting clamps, forming bands or installing other parts. Obviously this results in a' considerable labor saving.

A further object of the invention is to provide a transformer mount which has a greater safety factor than mounts heretofore known and in addition which has fewer parts, as set forth above. It is known that the band. type clusters, for example, are subject to tightening stresses which are added to the combined weight of all the transformers in the cluster. All parts are inter-related and hence any component is apt to weaken the entire m stallation. With the instant invention this is not apt 'to. happen at all. Each transformer of a cluster is inde pendently mounted.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a.

transformer mount which resiliently cooperates with the pole in such a manner as to more securely attach the mount and transformer to the pole and prevent unwanted movement thereof. 1

These and other objects and advantages will become 1 apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional plan view showing a pole and.

transformer mounting constructed in accordance with;

the invention.

FIGURE 4 is an elevational view of a bar used is mounting a transformer.

FIGURE 5 is an elevational view of a horizontal.

hanger bar used in mounting larger size transformers.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective exploded view illustrating,

a preferred form of the invention.

FIGURE 7 is a side elevational view showing 'the elements of FIGURE 6 in assembled relationship and in use in supporting av transformer.

FIGURE 8 is a side elevational view of a bracket used in the form of the invention illustrated in FIGURES 6.

and 7.

FIGURE 9 is a top plan view of the bracket of FIG- URE 8.

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the bracket of FIGURES 8 and 9.

for mounting eachindividual transformer are, all of, the

FIGURE 11 is a frontelevational view of amounting plate.

of the transformer vertical hanger- FIGURE 12 is a side elevational view of a pole and bracket constructed in accordance with the invention wing the m nner. 9 nq t t es a u t r f. t anst n 3 ers utilizing the brackets of the preferred form illustrated in FIGURES 6 through 10.

Similar reference characters in the several figures indicate similar parts. I 7

Referring now particularly to the drawings, FIGURE 1 shows a group or bank of two transformers 1, 2, mounted on a single pole 5, and FIGURE 2 is a side ejlevational view showing the mounting means used to support the transformers 1, 2. FIGURES 1 and 2 also show how the mounting for a third transformer can be integrated to provide a three transformer mounting. There is shown an upper through bolt 10 and a fourpointed mounting washer 12, and a brace member 14. The brace member 14 is formed in part by a tension bracket 15 having an uppermost portion 16, an upper leg 18 which extendsoutwardly of the uppermost portion at an angle thereto, an intermediate portion 20 which extends substantially parallel to uppermost portion 16, a lower leg 22 which extends inwardly vof the intermediate portion and a lowermost portion 24 which extends downward substantially parallel to the other portions and which is secured to pole by a suitable lag screw 25. As illustrated, lower leg 22 extends in a substantially horizontal direction. Intermediate portion 20 receives a spacer bolt 26. The spacer bolt 26 is threaded, at least in part, and has abutment nuts or collars 28, movably mounted there- The ends of a lateral strap brace member 30 are secured to pole 5 by lag screws 32 at locations approximately 90 around the pole from the location of portions 16, 24. Strap brace 30 is tensioned at its center point by spacer bolt 26. A square washer 34 and nut or collar 36 serve to secure and tension strap brace 30 to spacer bolt 26. The so associated tension bracket 15 and strap brace 30 form brace member 14.

As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, a second transformer which need not necessarily be of the same size may be supported opposite transformer 1 by utilizing an additional brace member 14'. Mounting washer 12' and portion 16' are mounted on bolt 10. Similarly, the ends of strap brace 30' overlap the ends of strap brace 30 andare secured to pole 5 by lag screws 32. Obviously, how ever, a single transformer can be supported on the pole.

-A third. transformer can be supported on the same pole in a fashion which integrates the mounting of all three transformers. FIGURES 1 and 2 also illustrate the mounting for a third transformer. Brace member 14" is mounted on bolt and lag screw 25" just enough below brace members 14 and 14 so that the ends of lateral strap braces 30" are secured by the samelag screws 25 and 25' which secure portions 24 and 24' respectively. For clarity the third transformer has been omitted, although it should be understood that like transformer 1 it would be attached to its own brace member 14" by spacer bolt 26" and spacer collars 28" as hereafter explained in connection with transformer l.

Spacer bolt 26 also serves to connect or secure trans former 1 to brace member 14. A vertical hanger bar 40 has a suitable opening 42 (FIGURE 4) for receiving spacer bolt 26; the nuts or collars 28 hold hanger bar 40 and portion 20 in juxtaposition on spacer bolt 26.

A significant advantage of the present invention lies in the use of the above described brace member 14 for all sizes of transformers. Only minor variations differenti-- ate the complete mounting arrangement for transformers of all sizes. cifically illustrate a mounting arrangement for larger transformers, e.g. 75 or 100 kva. Vertical hanger. bar 40 (FIGURE 4) has a suitable opening 44, and a horizontal hanger bar 46 has a slot 48 (FIGURES) which receives nuts and bolts 49. Horizontal hanger bar 46 also has two longitudinal slots 50, 52 which receive nuts andbolts 54 engageable in upper transformer bracket 56. i

This mounting arrangement is essentially duplicated for lower transformer bracket 58. Thus, nuts and bolts 54 securelower transformer bracket 58to a second hori-- Thus, for example, FIGURES l and 2 spe-f macaw 4 zontal hanger bar 46 and nuts and bolts 49 secure the horizontal hanger 'bar to opening 60 (FIGURE 4') of verticalhanger bar 40. Alower compression bracket including a brace member 14 preferably set in inverted position is bolted (by spacer bolt 26) to a slot 62 in vertical hanger bar 40. Inverting lower brace member 14 strengthens the overall transformer mounting by placing bolts 10 furthest apart, thus utilizing combined compression and tension forces and forming a truss-like structure.

The mounting for intermediate sized transformers, e.g. 37.5 and 50 kva. differs from the mounting illustrated in FIGURES 1, 2 only in that the horizontal hanger bars 46 may be omitted. The upper and lower transformer brackets are bolted respectively to openings 44 and 60 on vertical hanger bar 40.

In FIGURE 3 the invention is shown as applied to smaller size transformers 3, 4 e.g. 3, 5, l0, l5 kva. A brace member 14 is secured to a pole and to a vertical hanger bar 40 in the manner previously described. Verti cal hanger bar 40 has an opening 64 for receiving nut and bolt 65 which attaches upper transformer bracket 66 to the vertical hanger bar 40. Similarly, lower transformer bracket 68 is attached by nut and bolt 65 through an opening 70 in vertical hanger bar 40. For these lighter weight transformers a supporting bolt 72 which acts as a brace member is connected directly to the pole and to vertical hanger bar 40. Abutment nuts or collars 74 secure support bolt 72 to vertical hanger bar 40, while square washer 76 and nut or collar 78 secure support bolt 72 to the pole. As shown in FIGURE 3, a second transformer 4 maybe supported opposite transformer 3. If the 7 second transformer is of a small size, e.g. 3, 5, 15 kva., the

same supporting bolt 72 can be used to mount both transformers. Obviously, however, a single transformer can be supported on the pole. The mounting for trans former 4 (FIGURE 3) shows how secondary spools can be fitted into the overall mounting structure for support of through secondaries at the transformer level.

The mounting arrangement shown in FIGURE 3 can be used for mounting a 25 kva. transformer with but one minor change. The transformer brackets on a 25 kva. (and larger) transformer are conveniently set 24" apart as against 12 for 15 kva. (and below). Accordin'gly the brackets of a 25' kva. transformer are respectively secured in the openings 44 and on vertical hanger bar 40, just as they would be on 37.5 and 50 kva. transformers.

v are disposed in the manner shown on FIGURES 1 and2.

I form of the invention.

While the vertical hanger bar 40 illustrated in FIG- URE 4 is shown with openings 44, 42', 64, 70, 60, 62 so that it can be used to mount all sized transformers,- obviously two different hanger bars may be kept in stock, and used as required. In the hanger bar for the small sized transformers of 15 kva. and below openings 44 and 60 would be omitted, while in the hanger bar for transformers of 25 kva. and larger the openings 64 and would be omitted.

FIGURES 6 through 12 illustrate another preferred In this form of the invention the transformer mounting comprises a brace member 100.1 The brace member has an upper pole contacting and positioning first flange 102. An upper leg 104 extends singularly outwardly from one edge of the flange 1 extends substantially vertically when positioned as illustrated-in FIGURE-8 and is adapted to be vertically dis! posed when the transformer mounting brace member is connected to the pole. At the lower edge of the transformer connecting and supporting flange 106 there is provided a second leg 108. This is a lower leg and extends substantially perpendicularly inwardly from the flange 106 and at an acute angle with respect to the leg 104. A pole contacting and positioning third flange 110 is connected to the inner end of the second leg and extends substantially perpendicularly thereto.

This flange 110 can be referred to as the lower pole contacting and positioning flange. The upper flange 102 has an inner surface 112 which is adapted to abut the vertical surface of the pole 114. Similarly the lower flange has an inner surface 115 adapted to also abut the vertical wall of the pole vertically beneath the upper surface of the upper flange 102. It should be noted that the inner surface 112 of the upper flange 102 extends at an acute angle with respect to the inner surface of the lower flange 110 and with respect to the transformer connecting and supporting flange 106, when the brace member is in its free unassembled condition.

Furthermore the bracket is formed of a resilient material, preferably a steel and the upper flange and leg 104 can flex to position the inner surface 112 parallel to the face of the pole.

Furthermore the upper flange is seen to have to be bent at its upper edges to form wing-like members 116 and 118 at each side. These are in the form of appended flanges positioned at the upper corners of the surface '112. It should be noted that the flanges have apices 120 adjacent the top of the upper flange 102 and positioned inwardly thereof to form points. The winglike members 116 and 118 taper away from these points inwardly toward the adjacent flange. The upper points 120 are adapted to be readily forced into the pole.

The upper flange 102 is also provided with a slot 124 which is horizontally extended and adapted to receive a mounting bolt 126. The latter is of a size to extend through the pole. It is apparent that the slot accommodates sidewise movement of the mounting member adjacent its top. The lower flange 110 has an inner curved surface 115 and thus has a pair of wing-like portions 128 and 130 which are somewhat similar to the extensions or members 116 and 118. However, these members do not constitute flange-like constructions extending substantially perpendicular to the flange but instead comprise end portions conforming generally to the curvilinear shape of the flange. They taper inwardly of the flange adjacent their upper ends. The lower flange 110 is also provided with an opening 132 adapted to receive a lag screw 134.

The connection to the pole is achieved by first placing the bolt 126 in slot 124 and hole 136. Next the nut 156 is tightened. The brace member is adjusted as the nut is tightened to properly position the transformer connecting and supporting flange 106. When riut 154 is tight the lag screw 134 is put in position.

It is important to note that as the bolt 126 is tightened by means of the nut 154, which bears against the washer 156, the flange 102 is deformed and bent upon the leg 104. This tensions the whole transformer mount and urges the lower flange 110 more securely against the pole. This also results in the points 116 and 118 being more securely urged into the pole. A far more secure mounting is thus achieved than with a plain flat brace member, and the bracket is less likely to move on the pole. A special washer such as 12 is unecessary with this form of the invention and the connection is more secure than could be achieved with such washers.

Horizontal hanger bar 138 can be constructed similar to bar 46 and has a slot 140 for receiving the bolt 14-2 and a pair of longitudinally elongated slots 143 and 144 for receiving transformer mounting bolts. As an alternative the vertical hanger bar 146 can be used. This bar is equivalent of the bar 40 and has an opening 148 to receive the bolt 142 and spaced paired slot and hole 6 openings 150 and 152 to receive the transformer mounting bolts.

FIGURES 7 and 12 illustrate that a single transformer or a cluster of transformers can be on the pole by means of the transformer mounting members 100.

Only one bracket and mounting hanger is needed for each transformer up to 25 kva. Two brackets can be used for the heavier sizes as illustrated in FIGURE 12. FIGURE 12 also illustrates that one bolt 126 can function with a pair of brackets for mounting transformers on opposite sides of the poles and also that the brackets can be staggered lengthwise of the pole.

From the above description it is apparent that I have devised a transformer mounting means comprising a small number of simply constructed parts, yet which provides a support having a high degree of strength and safety. The mounting means which I have disclosed instead of weakening the pole, in fact strengthens it at the point of attachment of the transformers.

Furthermore, my mounting means can be easily adjusted to the poles no matter what their diameter when originally mounted. Another important feature of the mounting means of FIGS. 6 through 12 is that the cantilevered weight of the transformer as well as the tension spring action of the bracket results in adjustment in compensation for normal shrinkage and swelling of the pole. Also adjustment can be accomplished, if necessary, simply by tightening the nuts on the screw bolts and spacer bolts such as 126 and 142.

The brace member mounting means particularly of the form illustrated in FIGURES 6 through 12, provides a means for connecting transformers to poles which will greatly facilitate the mounting operation, which will considerably decrease the number of parts, and which will, nonetheless, give increased strength and rigidity. The spring-like construction of the upper flange, together with its integral projections, makes it possible to obtain a secure fixed, yet adjustable, mounting of the transformer on the pole without gaining the pole or otherwise weakening the poles. The spring structure results in both the top and bottom flanges being forced securely against the pole.

While I have shown and described a preferred form of my invention, it will be understood that variations in details of form may be made without departure from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A one-piece metallic mounting component for se curing a transformer to a pole comprising:

(a) a pole contacting and positioning upper flange,

(b) said upper flange having a metallic surface adapted to abut directly against the vertically disposed surface of an upright wooden pole,

(c) an upper leg connected adjacent the lower end of said upper flange and extending outwardly from said upper flange at an obtuse angle with respect to the surface of said upper flange,

(d) a transformer connecting and supporting middle flange connected to the lower end of said upper leg,

(e) said middle flange having a surface adapted to be substantially vertically disposed when the surface of said upper flange is abutted against the vertically disposed surface of an upright pole and the surface of said middle flange extending at an obtuse angle with respect to said upper leg,

(f) a second leg connected to the lower end of said middle flange, said second leg being shorter than said first leg,

(g) said second leg extending perpendicularly inwardly of the said middle flange surface, and at an acute angle with respect to said first leg, and

(h) a pole contacting and positioning bottom flange connected to the inner end of said second leg,

(1') said bottom flange having a pole contacting metallic surface adapted to abut directly against the Vertically disposed surface of an upright pole,

(j) said bottom flange being adapted to extend in a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the plane of said second leg when connected to the pole,

(k) the middle flange and bottom flange being disposed in separate substantially vertical parallel planes and said top flange being disposed in a plane which is inclined inwardly so as to form an acute angle'wi th respect to the said separate substantially vertical parallel planes.

2. A one-piece pole mounting component according to claim 1, wherein the upper lateral edges of the upper flange are provided with a pair of Wing-like pointed projections extending inwardly in the direction of intended attachment to the pole.

3. A one-piece pole mounting component according to claim 1, wherein the surfaces of said upper and lower flanges have slight curvatures which more readily adapt them for attachment to poles.

4. An assembly for mounting transformers on wooden power poles which comprises a one-piece metallic mounting component as set forth in claim 1, in combination with a bolt and nut passing through a slot in the upper flange, a lag screw passing through a hole in said bottom flange, a horizontally disposed hanger bar having a centrally located slot aligned with a slot in the said middle flange, and a bolt and nut assembly which pass through the cent-rally located slot in said horizontally disposed hanger bar and through said slot in the middle flange so as to secure said two members together, said horizontally disposed hanger bar having additional slots for facilitating attachment of the transformer.

5. An assembly for mounting transformers on wooden power poles which comprises a one-piece metallic mounting component as set forth in claim 1, in combination with a bolt and nut passing through a slot in the upper flange, a lag screw passing through a hole in said bottom flange, a vertically disposed hanger bar having a centrally located hole aligned with a slot in the said middle flange, and a bolt and nut assembly which pass through the centrally located hole in said vertically disposed hanger bar and through said slot in the middle flange so as to secure said two members together, said vertically disposed hanger bar having a slot adjacent one end thereof and another hole adjacent the other end thereof for facilitating attachment to the transformer.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 231,440 Miller -22 Aug. 24, 1880 1,802,995 Williams Apr. 28, 1931 1,812,203 Gaskill -2 June 30, 1931 2,160,808 Bradley June 6, 1939 2,224,648 Haadem Dec. 10, 1940 2,608,386 Hart a Aug. 26, 1952 2,618,449 Kohler Nov. 18, 1952 2,665,922 Bard Jan. 12, 1954 

